Gutsy Illini Land on their feet

URBANA – With two starters unavailable Saturday, nothing figured to come easy for the University of Illinois women's tennis team.

All of which made the Illini's 4-3 Big Ten Conference victory over Ohio State at Atkins Tennis Center that much more satisfying for their coach.

"Throughout this season we've gotten ourselves on a roll and then something unforeseen would happen to pull the rug out from under us," said Jennifer Roberts after her Illini improved to 10-11 overall and 5-4 in the league. "To step it up and be able to pull out a win without two players in the lineup shows how tough they've become from the adversity we've faced. I'm really proud of them."

No. 2 singles player Kara Loffelmacher was sidelined after suffering an allergy attack overnight that required a trip to the hospital. The Illini also were missing No. 3 singles player Liana Aguero, out with shin splints.

With the teams tied at three points apiece, the match came down to a hard-fought duel at No. 2 singles. Susanne Land pulled it out for Illinois with a 6-1, 2-6, 7-5 decision over Kerry Singer.

With all other matches over and all eyes on this one, Land was well aware of what was riding on her matchup with Singer.

"At first it was like, oh, God, I have to win for the team to win," said Land, a senior from Johnson City, Tenn. "But I've been there before ... and I just tried to think about the points on the court, concentrate on the present."

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